Joan Hamm was asleep when she felt an incredible pain in her chest.
She woke up, called 9-1-1 and unlocked her front door.
Emergency personnel found her, when they arrived, and set into motion a series of actions to save the 77-year-old Dade City woman’s life.
Armando Lopez Jr., was watching television in his Hernando County home when suddenly he blacked out.
He recalls parts of … [Read more...]

When heart attacks happen, minutes matter.
And now, residents of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and other nearby communities, including Keystone, Odessa, Northdale, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, have a new option for treatment of a STEMI — which stands for ST elevated myocardial infarction.
That condition is one of the most deadly types of heart attacks and, as of Aug. 25, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North … [Read more...]

When Pasco High School has its talent show on May 8, it will be dedicated to Jordan Ivie, a 17-year-old whose death has caused hearts to break — as well as to expand — in Dade City.
The high school senior was riding in a 2002 Ford Mustang being driven by Austin Thomas Council on the morning of April 24, when it was involved in a crash, according to a news release from the Florida Highway … [Read more...]

America is still taking a breath after a strong performance at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, last month, but locally, people still can't get enough.
Asif Shaikh, a chaplain from Lutz, once again traveled overseas to take part in the Olympics, serving as a spiritual guide for athletes. It gave him a chance to not only see some of the medal-winning events for Americans, but also gave him … [Read more...]

What’s Happening

A “Celebration of Lights” will take place Nov. 30 through Dec. 23 at The Concourse in Shady Hills. Guests can drive through The Concourse and Safety Town, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road, Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Safety Town will host vendors and Santa Claus, and there will be train rides available for $4 per person, open Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cost is $10 per car. For information, email moc.l1545216792iamg@1545216792sthgi1545216792lfono1545216792itarb1545216792elec1545216792. … [Read More...]

Christmas Lane, in the Charlie Grimes Ag Building at Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, will be open Nov. 23 to Dec. 24, every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will feature Christmas displays, food, carnival rides, a Kidzone, letters to Santa, face painting, ornaments, live entertainment, and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos every night. The event is wheelchair accessible. No pets. Only service animals will be allowed in, and must be wearing their service items. Parking is free. Tickets are $5 plus tax for ages 13 and older; $3 plus tax for ages 4 to 12; and free for ages 3 and younger. Rides are a separate cost. For information, visit ChristmasLane.com. … [Read More...]

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida invite community members to honor a loved one this holiday season, by placing the name on a luminary and display all the dedicated luminaries around the Blessed Mother in San Antonio’s City Park on Christmas Eve. If you live locally, you can take your luminary home on Christmas Day. The cost is $5 and will go toward the needs in the community and provide gifts to the elderly at Heritage Park Rehabilitation Center. To order, call (352) 588-8443, or go online to BenedictineSistersOfFl.org, and click on the “Donate Now” button. … [Read More...]

The 22nd annual “Christmas at the Old Lutz School,” 18819 U.S. 41, will be Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 11, Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 16, Dec. 18, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 26, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The historic schoolrooms will be decorated with trees, trains and Christmas displays. The Lutz Museum also will be decorated. There will be live entertainment on several nights. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For information, email moc.l1545216792oohcs1545216792ztuld1545216792lo@of1545216792ni1545216792. … [Read More...]

The United Way of Pasco County Prosperity Campaign is looking for volunteers to help provide free tax return preparation service. Volunteers will get full, comprehensive IRS training and become certified to prepare basic returns. No tax experience is necessary. The program also needs greeters, site volunteer schedulers, and technology/computer setup assistance at various sites. For information, visit UnitedWayPasco.org, and click on the Volunteer tab. … [Read More...]